Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward today joined forces with NSW Police and NSW Ambulance Service to remind parents about the importance of properly supervising children to prevent serious accidents.
"Every year a number of children in NSW die as a result of accidents that could have been prevented, and in many of these cases, inadequate supervision by an adult is a major factor," Ms Goward said.
"The Child Death Review Team’s Annual Report released this week outlined the deaths of children and young people registered in NSW during 2010.
"In 2010, 14 children drowned in NSW, many in private swimming pools and two in the bath. A lack of supervision was a factor in 11 of these deaths.
"In the same year, 15 children died as a result of other unintentional injury-related deaths, including house fires, poisoning, and from a fall or crush.
"In addition, two children died in low speed vehicle run-over accidents where the driver was unaware of the child being near the vehicle," Ms Goward said.
Many more were hurt or seriously injured in the same way.
Ms Goward said in recent months we’ve heard of a spate of dreadful accidents where children have fallen out of windows, been left in cars or accidently run over.
"These deaths and injuries do and can happen to anyone, and as profoundly sad as they are, they are sometimes preventable," Ms Goward said.
"Supervising a child means knowing where they are at all times, and for little ones, being physically present and keeping a close eye on them."
Ms Goward reminded people when looking after a child to limit other activities that may be distracting.
"If the phone rings when you are bathing a child, don’t leave the child in order to answer it, let the caller leave a message," Ms Goward said.
"Take that extra minute during the early morning rush hour to double check that your child is either secured in their car seat, or inside the house with another adult before getting into the car and driving away.
"These simple things can save lives."
Ms Goward added that while watching a child is the best way to prevent an accident, there are additional things that parents can do to help ensure a child stays safe.
"Community Services provides user-friendly fact sheets on all sorts of ways to help keep kids safe – around the home, in the car, and out and about," Ms Goward said.
For tips on how to keep your chid safe, visit www.community.nsw.gov.au.
MEDIA CONTACT
Simon Fontana - 0467 738 139
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